Hebrews 11:1-2, 6, 32-40
Faithfulness is a lifestyle or state of being. It implies diligence, dependability, steadiness, and unchanging devotion.
I. Faithfulness and the character of God
II. Results of faithfulness
a. If I grow in faithfulness, I grow in stability.
There is no short-run substitute for long-run faithfulness!
b. God will trust the faithful person with more.
c. My/our faithfulness causes others to become stable.
d. In relationships, it causes people to be free from fear.
e. In the spirit, it breaks the power of satanic attack against my life.
III. Increase your faithfulness
a. I increase my faithfulness by constant dependence on grace (blood of the Lamb).
b. We grow in faithfulness through constant commitment (the word of their testimony).
c. Willing to pay the price for discipleship (loved not their lives even unto death).
The Fruit of the Spirit | Faithfulness
June 28, 2020 • Gregg Parris
The Fruit of the Spirit | Love
May 17, 2020 • Gregg Parris
Galatians 5:16-26 Love Defined: Love is not a special way of feeling. Love is volitional good will. It is a matter of my will, my choice. If it is good will, then it is to will good things for someone else. Love is anchored in principle and conviction. A. Our inability to make sacrificial choices. B. Self-absorption, self-pity, self-centered, self-aggrandizing, constantly the center of everything. C. A coldness to God, the things of God, and the people of God. A. The ability to make decisions of importance. B. Become grace motivated and not judgmental. C. Grow in wisdom and discernment. D. Others are affirmed and set free in my presence. E. Love drives faith. Love is the power by which faith works. Galatians 5:6 F. Love is the key to success in life. Loving God is the key to overcoming. G. Love glorifies God in the world.
The Fruit of the Spirit | Joy
May 24, 2020 • Gregg Parris
Galatians 5:16-26 Nehemiah 8:10 I. Joy and the character of God. The object of God's joy is us! II. The counterfeit of joy. III. Joy applied to life. 1. Joy is connected to grace not judgment. 2. A lack of joy is indicated by a lack of a sense of humor. *A sense of humor is the ability to laugh at yourself. IV. The fruit of joy. 1. I will grow in strength. 2. It liberates others. V. Increase your joy. 1. It is the will of God for you. 2. Repent of situational happiness. 3. Train your spirit to rejoice. 4. Depend on Him in everything and your joy cannot be stolen because no one can steal Him from you. The secret to real joy is absolute dependence on God! The joy of the Lord really is my strength!
The Fruit of the Spirit | Peace
May 31, 2020 • Gregg Parris
Galatians 5:22-26 John 14:26-27 Definition: Peace is a state of being. Peace is a state of heart. It is an inner reality which is ministered to me. Peace is that which God ministers to me. I. The peace of God 1. Passes understanding. 2. Keeps your heart and mind 3. Through Jesus Christ. II. The counterfeit of peace 1. Self-confidence 2. Induced, extra-personal peace You cannot induce peace into your life from the outside, this is a fruit only of the Spirit. III. How do I increase my peace? 1. Grow in righteousness. 2. End the doublemindedness. 3. The peace of God is eternal. 4. Establish Christ's Lordship in your life. 5. Receive the Holy Spirit.